LIFE IS VERY GOOD! ...

By Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G

October certainly exceeded my expectations in learning new things, meeting new people, making new friends, collecting a horde of books at annual library book sales, and receiving many requests for either articles I've written or posted on my blogs from folks all over the USA. I am truly tickled to be alive at this time.

This week two important events happened: I decided to raise the handlebars on my walker to see if that made any difference in my walking and back pain. It sure did! I can't believe the positive impact it has had on my health. I feel so much better and my posture is more erect, instead of leaning forward when I walk. This simple action has also relieved the low back pain I felt 24/7, especially when going to bed at night. I would literally cry out in pain as I lowered myself onto the mattress. That has now all gone and I'm ecstatic! Now my goal is definitely to be rid of the dependence on the walker altogether. I've set a new goal to be independent of it by Christmas. Whether that's realistic or not we'll see...

The 2nd event was the disappearance of my little Shih-Tzu, Krissy. I came home from my Carlsbad Toastmaster Club Thursday night, after a brief stop at Ralph's to pick up some items, and opened my front door with my arms loaded about 9:30 PM. Krissy came bounding out as she usually does when I arrive home to greet me. I put the groceries away thinking she would come right back in. I called her but no Krissy. H'm. At 10 o'clock I put my oxygen tank on, got a flashlight and extra batteries, and started out with my walker to look for her. I slowly combed the neighborhood flashing the light under cars in driveways, etc. No luck. I left the front porch light on all night and put a bowl of water on the step in case she came back and I had fallen asleep.

At midnight I was besides myself with anguish and jumped in my car and drove all over the neighborhood again searching for her. Nothing! Trying to sleep was useless. At 4 AM I dressed warmly and got flashlight and walker and headed out again. It took me a little over an hour to comb my neighborhood and still no luck in finding Krissy. I prayed God would keep her safe from the coyotes that roam around here.

Returning home exhausted, I sat on my sofa and turned on the TV. The 5 AM news came on. I couldn't believe how cheerful the newscasters were. It was almost obscene to me because I'm usually in deep dreams at that hour. About 5:45 AM I heard a small patter at the front door. I jumped up and lo and behold there was Krissy! I forced myself not to be mad at her, scooped her up in my arms and was astounded to find out she was bone dry! Meanwhile, I was soaking wet from perspiration and the light drizzle in the early dawn. She looked none the worse for wear and gave me that look "well, now you're up why don't you feed me!" At that point I would have given the little bugger anything she wanted.

Early Friday morning I cancelled her grooming appointment because I was so exhausted. I have no idea where she went or, if she will try that again. But, I am pleased she knows her way home and will be much more careful when opening my front door in the future.

Until you lose something, or someone, you often don't know how much it means to you. I think of Krissy as the daughter I never had. She's my true family and companion. I feel so blessed that God sent her safely home to me. Now I won't take her for granted anymore! Be sure you let those close to you know how much you love them! You never know when it will be the last time that you see them.

Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer ● Speaker ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com

Copyright© 2010 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you